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sydneybedell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness and Injury/Injury detail
bookish_afrolatina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Alsooooo I love a good glossary! This book has an elaborate one in the back so don’t miss it.
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment and Torture
kelsokake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Death of parent and Violence
Minor: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, War, and Vomit
foreverinastory's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5/5 rounded up! I need everyone to pick up this book immediately!
A Magic Steeped in Poison features a magic system based on Taiwanese tea culture! This story follows Ning as she navigates the grief over her mother's death and trying to find a cure for her sister who is deathly ill. When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi, she travels to the imperial city to compete in the hopes that winning will grant her a favor to cure her sister.
Between dark court politics, backstabbing competitors and the challenging contest, Ning has her hands full. Not to mention Ning wasn't actually her mother's apprentice, so her knowledge about the art of brewing tea is not as strong as other competitors.
I was swept away by the world building and amazing magic system. I loved seeing Ning navigate the challenges of the shennong-shi. Competition books like this are some of my favorite fantasy books to read. The competition is so fun and cool. I loved the various events, except the one that involved birds. Ning's skill and magic was so freaking cool. I loved that she could do so many things with tea and I need her to come over and make me so magic tea.
I loved Ning’s character. She was curious, protective and dedicated. I have a feeling we’ve only seen the tip of her magical abilities and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in the sequel.
Chinese coded cast. Cis female MC, sapphic female side characters, achillean male side characters, various side characters are poisoned and terminally ill.
CW: Violence, bullying, grief, death of parent, classism, animal cruelty, animal death, death, attempted murder/murder, blood, medical content, injury/injury detail. Moderate: alcohol consumption, misogyny, sexism, terminal illness. Minor: vomit, confinement, torture, war.
Graphic: Violence, Bullying, Death of parent, Classism, Animal death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Grief, Animal cruelty, Blood, and Medical content
Moderate: Alcohol, Misogyny, Terminal illness, and Sexism
Minor: War, Torture, Vomit, and Confinement
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The only reason I didn’t give it a higher rating is because I found myself not very attached to or interested in Ning, the protagonist. My favorite characters—Kang, Lian and Zhen—were all part of the supporting cast; they had sizable roles in the story, yes, but nonetheless were side characters.
Despite that, I’ll definitely be reading the sequel when it comes out. I have high hopes, especially after that brutal cliffhanger. 😮💨
I would recommend this book to you if you like magical competitions and unique magic systems, and/or the books Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim and Lobizona by Romina Garber. (Which, by the way, are both amazing!! So check those out along with this one. ;))
Representation
- full Chinese-inspired cast
- sapphic side couple
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Minor: Blood and Torture
orchidd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Terminal illness, Sexual harassment, Murder, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, and Alcohol
Minor: Torture and Vomit
e_flah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The biggest thing about A Magic Steeped in Poison that didn't quite work for me was the pacing. I found the beginning and the end to be compelling and fast-paced. However, the middle seemed to drag at times as plot points for the final act were set up. That said, this didn't keep me from enjoying the book as a whole and more patient readers may not be bothered by this.
This was a wonderful fantasy debut and I can't wait to see where the story goes next in A Venom Dark and Sweet.
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Violence
etherisapoet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Grief, and Classism
kwkich's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Classism, Death of parent, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse and Slavery
bookbrig's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Bullying and Terminal illness